PART ONE

It was up to the provincial father to receive a young man as a novice (doc. 1), as well as to send him to some friary, after the probationary year (doc. 2), to continue, “at least for three years”, under the guidance of the father guardian (doc. 4), the discipline learned in the novitiate, before possibly being assigned to studies (doc. 5).

An “accurate and exemplary training” of the novices was considered the foundation of the growth and development of the Order. It was not only eruditio, that is, intellectual learning, but above all ecercitatio, that is, practical and concrete experience. This is why the task of master of novices was considered so important for the Order and the provincial minister asked the chosen one to accept it “with joy and exultation” (doc. 3).

After the normally three-year break of the post-novitiate, those who were destined, as clerics, to study under the guidance of the “lettori/lecturers” studied the various philosophical-theological subjects and morality, paying attention, however, according to the dictates of the Rule and of the constitutions, not to lose the spirit of piety and devotion (doc. 5). Before, however, being declared a “student”, he had to take an exam (doc. 6, 7) before the provincial and definitors, as prescribed by the constitutions; just as, every year, he had to be examined on the subjects studied and if he was found to be insufficient and deficient, even in his conduct, he was excluded from his studies and sent, if anything, to “study cases of conscience”, with a view to becoming only a “simplex priest”, without the office of preaching. For the latter, at the end of the years of study, there was a particular exam before the provincial and definitors (doc. 10).

During the year the students usually interrupted their studies twice, either to fill the gaps in the various friaries left by the Lenten preachers or by the fathers and brothers gathered at the provincial chapter (doc. 8), so as to support and safeguard regular observance; both to take a summer holiday period of no more than two weeks (doc. 9), while for father lecturers it lasted a month (doc. 30).

As regards teaching, each province had to have its “principal lecturer”, who was elected by the general minister (doc. 26), who was also responsible for establishing a “lecturer in canon law” who held lessons in churches or friaries on the sacred canons to resolve cases of conscience (doc. 27). The provincial father with his definitory elected the “lecturer of speculative or moral sciences” (doc. 28) or assigned a pro-lecturer in case of absence of the main lecturer (doc. 29).

During the years of study, the students, from time to time, were promoted to the various sacred orders: tonsure and minor orders (doc. 11-14, 24), subdiaconate and diaconate (doc. 15-19) and presbyterate (doc. 20-23, 25). For this purpose, the provincial father issued the dimissorial letters to be presented to the bishops.

The interest of the latter forms lies in the fact that, with the exception of two texts from the Manuale of Giovan Maria da Tusa (doc. 24-25), they are historical documents from the Marche province, partly published. The oldest and simplest dates back to 1554, written by Mario da Mercato Saraceno (doc. 15), all written in Italian, while the others are usually in Latin. The headings characterize, with formal terminology, now a “sober cleric” (doc. 11), or “exemplary and well-mannered” (doc. 24); now of the “devoted clerics” (doc. 16-17, 20, 24); or they just say “cleric” (doc. 12, 18, 21, 25) or “professed” (doc. 14, 19, 23) or “deacon” (doc. 22). Instead of the usual wish for “health and peace”, Bonaventura da Reggio Emilia in his dismissal of 22 January 1560 to Thomas of Apiro adds the wish for “every happiness that the most sweet Crucified gives to his servants” (doc. 20).

The forms from the years of the 1570s onwards are influenced by the Council of Trent and this appears, indeed, more and more clearly obvious (docs. 13, 18, 21-22, 25). Thus the conditions for accessing ordinations are very important, according to the laws and constitutions of the Order (doc. 14, 19, 23, etc.). The formulas are repeated with small variations. The cleric is left free to choose the first available consecrating bishop as soon as possible, within the diocese or even outside; but when the provincial learns the precise time of the ordinations, he is quick to report it, as Bonaventura da Reggio did in his dimissorial dated 1 May 1559 to some clerics, notifying the availability of the bishop of Recanati in the days of the Quattro Tempora di Pentecoste [four days of fasting after Pentecost and before Trinity Sunday: Wednesday – Saturday] (doc. 16).

At the beginning of the 17^th century even the form is amplified and takes on almost an episcopal solemnity, as if the provincial superior felt like a bishop among his brothers. Thus, for example, Paolo da Cesena or Giusto da S. Giusto in 1602 and 1610 issued the dimissory letters “ut Ecclesiae nostrae necessitati provideamus”, and ordered “in virtute Spiritus Sancti” and gave permission “in nome Patris et Fili et Spiritus Sancti. Amen”, just as if they were tracing a broad and solemn episcopal blessing (docs. 14, 19, 23).

During the 17^th century these dimissorials are definitively fixed in form, which are printed with simple ornamental friezes and completed with names and dates in the spaces specifically left empty, even if the use of handwritten forms still continues.

1-4 Various obediences for the novitiate

2. For Novices who had been professed and were leaving the Noviciate for the first time and being sent to other fraternities

[pages 1606-1607]

1621 Since I must provide a cleric (or cook etc.) at our friary in N., I thought that I would nominate you.

Therefore, in virtue of holy obedience, I assign you to this fraternity to dwell with the friars who are living there. If there is no other friar who is available, you will be accompanied there by your Father Guardian or Master; and, under the guidance of that Father Guardian, you shall continue to observe the spirit with which you were conceived and make progress in the acquisition of virtue and the observance of the obligations that you accepted at your Holy Profession.^[1]

Let all this be done with the blessing of the Lord. Pray for me.

5-10 Formulas of obedience for students

11-14 Dimissorial letters for tonsure and minor orders

12. Dimissorial of Girolamo da Montefiore to the cleric Illario da Amelia

[pages 1613-1618]

1631 To our most beloved Brother in Christ Ilario da Amelia,^[2] a cleric in the Order of Friars Minor of St Francis who is living with the Capuchins, Brother Girolamo da Montefiore, who belongs to the same Congregation and who, although unworthy, is Vicar of the Province of the Marches, sends his greetings.

So that you may make greater progress in serving God, we are presenting you for Orders in the Church. Therefore, in virtue of obedience, we command that, when the opportunity arises, you receive the four minor orders from a Catholic Bishop. We give testimony to your age, exemplary conduct, studies, and ability to carry out these orders as far as human frailty will permit.

Greetings and pray for me.

Given at Recanati on 10^th December 1568.

Signed Brother Girolamo as above by his own hand.

15-19 Dimissorial letters for diaconate and subdiaconate

19. Dimissorial of Giusto da S. Giusto to Serafino d’Ascoli Piceno

[pages 1624-1625]

1638 To Br Serafino d’Ascoli, a professed cleric in the Capuchin Order of Friars Minor, Br Giusto da S. Giusto, a friar in the same Order,^[3] and, although unworthy, Vicar Provincial of the Marches, sends greetings and peace in the Lord.

Since it is our duty to provide ministers who attend to sacred affairs, pray earnestly to God, and offer sacrifice, knowing that you, Father Serafino. who belong of the same Order, are a good religious, have been a subdeacon for a year, were born of legitimate parents, have reached the legal age, live an exemplary life of virtue, without sin or defects, and have no canonical impediments that would prevent you from doing what our Church requires of you, we decree that you, the above-mentioned Father Serafino, supported by the Holy Spirit and holy obedience, present yourself to the Most Reverend Bishop of Recanati, or if he is absent, and cannot perform the ordination,^[4] to another Most Reverend Bishop to receive the Holy Order of Diaconate, if there is nothing else the prevents this.

When you have received this Holy Order, go forth with gratitude and return to your friary. To confirm this, we have signed and sealed this letter with our seal.

Given at Macerata on 14^th December 1602.

Br Giusto, Vicar as stated above.

20-23 Dimissorial letters for the priesthood

23. Dimissorial of Paolo da Cesena to Vincenzo d’Ascoli Piceno

[pages 1625-1631]

1642 Father Paolo da Cesena, a member of the Capuchin Order of St Francis, and Vicar Provincial of the Marches, sends greetings and peace in the Lord to Brother Vincenzo d’Ascoli a professed member of the same Order.^[5]

Since it is our duty to provide ministers to take part in sacred ceremonies, to pray to God, and to offer sacrifices, aware that you, Brother Vincenzo d’Ascoli, a professed member of this Institute are a good religious, have been a Deacon for a year, were born of legitimate parents, have reached the legal age, live an exemplary life of virtue without any vices, defects or other faults or canonical impediments, to support the needs of our Church, by means of the present letter and in virtue of the authority of our office, we decree that you Br Vincenzo supported by the Holy Spirit and holy obedience present yourself to the Illustrious and Most Reverend Archbishop of Fermo, or if he is absent or unable to perform Ordinations, to another Very Reverend Bishop, to receive the sacred Order of Priesthood if there is nothing else to prevent this.^[6] In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

24-25 Two forms used by Giovanni M. da Tusa for Ordinations

24. Obediences for friars to be ordained

[pages 1631-1632]

1643 It is our duty to see to it that young men who are virtuous and live good lives are able be of even better service to the Church of God by being promoted to Holy Orders. Therefore, with great confidence in your integrity, probity, and virtuous lifestyle I permit you, by this letter and in holy obedience, to receive tonsure and the minor orders from a willing Very Reverend Bishop at the earliest opportunity and to live in a friary where these Orders can be conferred.

As soon as you have received these Orders and thanked the Prelate in my name, you are to return to the friary from which you came.

In the love of Christ, I warmly recommend you to the priests and brothers that provide you with accommodation during your outward and return journeys.

Go well. Remember me in your prayers.

Given etc.

Fr Giovanni Maria as above. Signed.

26-30 Forms of obedience for lecturers

26. Form to appoint the main lecturer

[page 1634]

1645 To our dearest in Christ father brother N di N.

Since it is our duty to provide the main lecturer for the Province of N.,^[7] we appoint you very venerable Father N. of N. as lecturer in the Province of N. in virtue of obedience with all the privileges and exemptions that lecturers in our Order enjoy according to our customs. We are aware of your scholarship, capacity to teach, how well you speak and your exemplary behaviour.

Therefore, we command you to undertake this work as soon as you are able.

Given etc.

After their Simple Profession which came after their year of probation, the Novices were sent to various fraternities and under the guidance of the Guardian, they continued to live the same strict way of live that they had lived during Noviciate and work above all as the sacristans (cf. in section II: Constitutions, n. 19 bis. [6]) and fulfil the obligation of attending prayer in the choir. What is said here is contained in Cost. 1536, n.19 (cf. nn. 173-179). ↑
C. Urbanello notes that Ilario da Amelia (+ Naples 1609) was the secretary of the Vicar General Girolamo da Montefiore. ↑
Giustino Bonafede da Monte S. Giusto (+ 1631), was a disciple of Father Trigoso and twice Commissary General in Stiria and Abruzzi and an author on spiritual matters. Concerning him see Metodio da Nembro, Quattrocento scrittori spirituali, Roma 1972, 72s. We have no special information about Vincenzo d’Ascoli. ↑
Cf. above note 21. ↑
We have no information concerning Vincenzo d’Ascoli. ↑
The General Ordinances of 1613, n. 20 say: “Provincials should not grant permission for clerics to be ordained immediately after their profession but should wait until they have been professed for three years, so that when they have been given the Diaconate, they will not be Ordained to the Priesthood too soon.” (AO 5 [1889] 281ab). ↑
The choice was made by the Minister General. This form was composed by his secretary. It nominated the main lecturer even though it could appoint others to conduct courses in catechetics, moral and pastoral theology. ↑